Family of active third-grader walk tirelessly toward cure to diabetes
Miranda Luebke of Arlington Heights is an active third-grader who has a full plate of activities once she leaves school, from swimming and piano lessons, to Brownie meetings.
That's on top of baseball this summer, where she was the only girl on her Pee-Wee team. But that's not what makes her unique.
Miranda is the only student at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, out of its more than 400 students, who has Type 1 or juvenile diabetes.
Consequently, she must prick her finger up to six times a day to test her blood sugar, and receive insulin injections four times a day to make up for the insulin her body is not producing.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is used by the body to break down sugars into energy.
And while Miranda looks to have no shortage of energy, neither do her parents, Glenn and Mindy, in their resolve to fund research into finding a cure for the disease.
For the sixth year, they will be assembling with family, friends, neighbors and their children's classmates, at the 30th annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. Over the years the walk has become the highest earning fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Illinois, generating nearly $6 million.
The Luebke family team will gather at the Northwest Suburban walk, at Busse Woods Forest Preserve, located on Golf Road just east of Route 53 in Schaumburg. On-site registration opens at 8:30 a.m. with the walk stepping off at 9:30 a.m.
The Northwest Suburban walk is one of the busiest of the five Chicago area sites, with nearly 10,000 participants expected, says its Chairwoman Megan Gavin. Collectively, they hope to raise $1.3 million in the fight to find a cure for diabetes. Other sites include Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville and Community Park in Lisle.
In recent years, the Luebkes' team, "Miranda's Mile... rs" has drawn between 70 and 100 walkers, and to date has raised more than $73,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Illinois.
"My husband and I have pledged to continue to walk until they find a cure," Mindy Luebke says.
It was back in 2003 when their daughter was diagnosed. Just 2 years old, she showed the traditional symptoms - wanting to drink lots of water, frequent urination, weight loss and increasingly lethargic.
A support group at Northwest Community Hospital for families of toddlers with Type 1 diabetes, informed them of the JDRF walk. Less than six months after Miranda was diagnosed, the family organized its first team.
"It's such a supportive environment," Mindy Luebke says. "Everyone that comes and participates on our team are always amazed at the thousands of people who are there, and just how many lives are touched by this one disease."
Research strides have already improved Miranda's life, her parents say. Just over a year ago, she began taking a new type of insulin, which allows her to eat a less restricted diet and lead a more flexible lifestyle, but it requires much more vigilance.
This winter, Miranda and her family will investigate using a pump system to deliver her insulin, which may provide even more flexibility, but no less monitoring, they say.
"There are no days off," Mindy Luebke says. "She will have to continue managing her diet, exercise and insulin injections to keep her blood sugar level managed for the rest of her life."
Or, she adds, until research leads to a cure.
To find out more about the walk, or register to participate, visit www.walk.jdrf.org. Miranda even has her own Web site, at walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm? id=86992874.
If you go
What: 30th annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes
When: Sunday, Oct. 5
Where: Five area sites, including Schaumburg, Libertyville and Lisle
Cost: Free admission but collecting pledges for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
More information: www.walk.jdrf.org
Schaumburg
• 5K, 8:30 on-site registration before 9:30 start, at Busse Woods, enter on Golf Road, just east of Route 53 in Schaumburg
Libertyville
• 5K, 7:45 a.m. registration, before 8:45 a.m. start at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W. Buckley Road
Lisle
• 3K 8:30 registration before a 9:30 a.m. start at Community Park, 1825 Short St.